Essex port will be key base for construction of the park on the Swanscombe peninsula

The company behind the multi-billion pound leisure resort on the Swanscombe peninsula has struck a deal with the Port of Tilbury in Essex to use its facilities during the construction of the park.

The London Resort - which confirmed last month it has ended a licensing deal with movie studio Paramount - says a memorandum of understanding has been agreed with the Port of Tilbury London Ltd (POTL) to use the port and its facilities as the main location for storage, loading, discharge, barge operations and other services when construction finally begins on the park.

A former planning bid will be submitted to the government in November. If the development consent order gets the green light, those behind the project say the park should be open for business by 2022.

Costing some £3.2billion and creating 33,000 jobs during construction and operation, the park needs to get that planning consent before it can confirm the investment needed to actually build the hugely ambitious project.

Touted as eventually being one of the top 10 leisure destinations in the world, funding so far has only been secured to get the scheme through the official planning stage.

Speaking of the port deal, Humphrey Percy, CEO of London Resort Company Holdings, which is driving the project forward, said: “We have always spoken of our commitment to make use of the Thames both during construction and operation.

“Reaching a memorandum of understanding with the Port of Tilbury underlines this commitment and is a further step in delivering a truly global destination.”

Charles Hammond, group chief executive from Forth Ports, owner of the port, added: “By using the River Thames, there is not only a reduction in the road miles impact but it also helps to reduce congestion on the road network.”

Following the ending of the Paramount licensing rights deal, those behind the park say they are now in talks with a host of other major studios to strike big name deals.

Having a brand new kitchen is something that lots of people want but can only dream of. Sadly keeping up to date and making our living spaces as nice as they can be is a costly and incredibly stressful business. Even a fresh coat of paint makes all the difference but isn’t easy or quick.